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The Last Of Us Gameplay Looks Very Survival/Horror-y

Our latest peek at Naughty Dog's The Last Of Us is dark, creepy, and definitely has a survival/horror vibe.

We've known for a while that the game will boast various genre elements, as the combination of character vulnerability, limited ammunition, and stealth makes one think of games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill.

Here, Joel and Ellie are in the dark, making their way through what appears to be a zombie-infested building. Okay, so they're not necessarily zombies (at least, that's not how the developers describe them) but they certainly act like the undead, as they're insanely aggressive but not very observant. Joel uses a variety of tools to deal with the freakish mutants and at one point, Ellie is about to get attacked. Just go light on the babysitting, Naughty Dog!

Wow. Of all the responses I was expecting, THAT wasn't one of them lol!

If anyone can do zombie/end of the world/apocalypse survival RIGHT, it's naughty dog. Is it the violence that turns you off?

EDIT: By the way Ben, the reason they don't seem observant is because they're at 'stage 3' of the infection, whereby their only sense is an vocalised 'echo', that I guess rebounds off surfaces. I think you can hear them make the sound in the video.Last edited by Ludicrous_Liam on 2/4/2013 11:57:48 AM

I don't need uber violent, gorey and foul mothed action to know that I am playing a game that is 'mature'. If anything the inclusion of many of those elements makes the game more immature in my eyes. I honestly thought that ND was better than this, and did not need to lean on such obvious and conventional elements to make a good game. The more that I have seen come out about the game, the more violent, gorey, and foul mouthed it becomes. I have no doubt that the production will be excellent, and if that is your kind of genre, it will no doubt be a winner. But those exact elements are not my cup of tea at all.

To be honest, like I said at the beginning, I know people think that these kinds of element make a game 'mature'. I don't, I think it is a sign of the immaturity of gamers that these kinds of element are needed to sell a game. sure they force the game into the M-Rating, so it's "Rated M for Mature", but to me, it's really immature and outside the realm of games I enjoy.

You are correct Liam, the send out noises that reverberate through the walls in front of them and get a mental picture of their surroundings. Since the cordicep fungus already burst out of their heads they can no longer see. This game is definitely going to be a winner from naughty dog. I've watched all their making of videos and gameplay, may cant come soon enough!

Like I said in my reply above, these elements in a game are not my thing, so it's not for me. I do think though that the survival horror genre - much like the shooter genre - has had more than it's fair share of service this generation, and am saddened to see ND going this route. It's almost as if they feel like they have to do a game like this to prove that they can make 'grown up' games. They really don't. But then Insomniac did the same thing with resistance and their upcoming cross-platform shooter. It's almost as if they wish to distance themselves from their cartoony/platforming roots.

But the gore and foul mouthed action isn't presentated in an immature way; it's actually presented in the most mature way possible. It's not like the game WANTS you to go out of your way to brutally kill these guys - the lack of ammo and supplies show this. Infact, not only to they make it NOT gratifying to kill, they make it seem more last resort and that it most-often works to your disadvantage. Joel in the video will tell you as much lol.

Granted, everything NaughtyDog have shown has included pretty brutal violence, but they've explained this: they're setting a tone. It's not immature just because it's violent. Violence is very much a real thing that happens in life - it's almost apart of nature really - so it makes sense when making a realistic game. Don't dismiss it just because of the violence man. NaughtyDog KNOW what makes a great game, and it's not using violence for the sake of using it.Last edited by Ludicrous_Liam on 2/4/2013 12:28:02 PM

All three Uncharted games were rated T, not M. They were more mature than what ND had done before, but they were not 'mature' in terms of their rating. All three games had a relatively light hearted action movie vibe, none had R rated language, and gore was kept to a minimum. They included a lot of platforming concepts and collecting things as you went. So, yes, and no. They were more grown up than Crash, but not in the same class as The Last of Us looks to be.

Ben, indeed. And as I said, this is probably not my cup of tea, but I am certain it will look great and have superb production values, and those that like this genre will probably love it.

I dunno Highlander, Uncharted showed quite a lot of blood than most of T-rated games are willing to show and heavily cussing (especially compared to some M-rated titles) only without the f-bomb as present. I fully understand the dislike of such content, since the language makes me hesitate on bringing it over to a relative's place when I visit.

Naughty Dog has been progressively moving up the scale on the rating though, from Crash Bandicoot, to Jak & Daxter, Uncharted and finally The Last of Us. Not sure if they plan to eventually reach the A rating system, but if so well.. can't say we didn't see it coming.

Hey Highlander you should watch IGN's "Playstation Conversation" The Last Of Us edition, Greg goes in great detail. It's not your typical mindless zombie game. From what I know, the undead actually know what they're doing is wrong, but they can't help it because they can't control their actions. It's really great. I encourage you to head on over to IGN for more on everything The Last Of Us. (Pun intended, just that one video)

I admire your abstaining from such 'mature' content Highlander =)Over the years as I've grown more of a family. I've found that enjoying games with them to be of great value. Lately as I play my more 'mature' games alone they aren't seeming quite as satisfying as they used to. I've been feeling a desire to skew more quality gaming 'family friendly' with my time. The alone and isolated feeling of playing games has lost some of it's luster. So similarly I see the frustration in seeing quality devs go more 'mature' with their talents when they've previously proven their ability at family friendly products.

"Uncharted showed quite a lot of blood than most of T-rated games are willing to show and heavily cussing (especially compared to some M-rated titles) only without the f-bomb as present. "

I don't think that this is the case at all. Blood in Uncharted is relatively limited and is not persistent. Good lord there are epic fights in the snow and not a single patch of red snow to be seen. As for the language, I'm not sure what games you play, but the language in Uncharted (perhaps this is different in 3 which I have yet to complete) is nothing like that I have heard in M rated titles.

@Temjin, thanks. I like action games too, but wish that they had the ability to be a little more family friendly. That's why I am always suggesting options to set the level of language, blood/gore and violence involved in a game. If we can have a TV-14 version of an R rated movie, why can we not do something similar on the fly in a game where everything is being generated by the game? A title like this one would be more accessible for gamers like myself if it had options of that nature.Last edited by TheHighlander on 2/4/2013 3:39:07 PM

Yes, there may not be literal blood in the snow or ground.. but there's plenty of closeup scenes on the evidentual gaping gun wounds on the characters, dried blood on their clothing, one of the guards shown to be impaled as the characters are approaching the final area (no blood, but still pretty graphic to see) and the small spout of blood that shoots out when you're killed online (in Uncharted 2 multiplayer especially).

Now keep in mind this is still a rated T-rated game, and compared to the likes of other T-rated games (some Prince of Persia titles, Jak & Daxter, Final Fantasy, Tomb Raider, list can go on).. while they are different genres, that is still more blood and alleged graphic display being shown than other games are willing to show without risking the M-rated sign.

The language in Uncharted I'm referring to is mainly the frequency of the s-word, d-word. Not just in the cutscenes either, but while engaging in battle (mainly in Uncharted 3), since the characters react to flying grenades and gunfire, the amount of cussing increases, even more on higher difficulties when you're encouraged to be more cautious.

No, they're not the f-bombs and sexually crude ones, but the frequency of hearing them compared to some M-rated titles (Metal Gear, Heavy Rain, Assassin's Creed) which usually have them sprinkled throughout the game in cutscenes is what can give it the "heavily cussing" title.. Either way, this is only to help conclude that Naughty Dog has already been moving to "Mature" audiences because of such content. :PLast edited by VampDeLeon on 2/4/2013 4:40:03 PM

I am sorry but please shut up. You are just nitpicking, as you always seem to do. Everything in the game from the language and atmosphere is perfectly placed. I know that if I was in the same situation that I would be cursing. Hell I curse often when I am not under stress. Why would the game not be gory? Really? You are complaining about gore in a game where mutant are eating people and the world is in chaos? LOL! The game play and design will sell the game as it did with other ND games. You don't have to play it and no one will give a damn.Last edited by DarthNemesis on 2/4/2013 9:33:47 PM

No, I won't shut up. Read my posts and stop being an ass. I'm not nitpicking the game, I expressing my opinion. You may not like it, but that's fine, but it's hardly nitpicking. Nitpicking would be to go through your reply line by line, point by point refuting each point you attempt to make in multiple ways.

@Vamp, "evidentual gaping gun wounds on the characters" Haven't seen many gaping gun wounds in Uncharted. Hey, let's not pretend that Uncharted is even remotely similar to the levels of blood and gore in say, God of War. I didn't say that the game had to be completely void of action, or blood when someone is shot. I said "Blood in Uncharted is relatively limited and is not persistent." And that is precisely true. Stop arguing with me as if I said that the game had to be completely devoid of action elements. It should be utterly obvious that I am referring to the excessive blood, gore and violence seen in many games, not the relatively mild action movie material in Uncharted. If you can't see or handle the difference between those two in a discussion, that's not my fault, it's yours. As for your comments about the language, etc... there was a noticeable increase in the amount of language used in Uncharted 3. Other than that, I would love to know what other games and movies you use as a comparison, because according to you Uncharted is a horribly foul mouthed uber violent series of games full of blood and gore and worthy of M ratings - which they obviously do not merit.

Don't worry Highlander, I'm not intending to be hostile with you. I'm glad to know that we have agreed on that Uncharted does inhibit more blood and cursing than majority of rated "T" games. In the case of "M" rated games, only that there's enough cursing heard in Uncharted 3 that can rival the amount heard in some other M-rated games (Assassin's Creed, Heavy Rain, Metal Gear..).

Now that doesn't mean I believe Uncharted should be relabeled to rated "M" because of this. I'm content with it being considered on the brushing edge of "T".. My main reason for bringing that up is as evidence on how progressively "Mature" Naughty Dog's games have been getting. Nothing more, nothing less. :P

Well Highlander, Naughty Dog could make a live action tv promo with Kobe Bryant and Robert Downey Jr. having them battling it out with cartoony images that say Bam!!! Slam!!! like the old Batman Series. Then at the end they could say "For Mature Audiences Only" LOL..... They could also have a website that doesn't have you put your actual birth date in but a numerical representation of your age like "17" or "18", I mean that's allot easier then Putting in my Birth date 'December 6, 1981".

At least they are being up front and providing you with all the information to make an informed decision on whether or not you want to buy this game or if its age approriate... Unlike another game i know.... *Cough*

What I've read and seen reminds of the survival horror genre in the best sense. It's hardly an RE clone, but the odds are daunting, you get scared, you don't just have an unlimited supply of bullets and medicine to obliterate your enemies, you have a sense that this is probably not going to end well for all parties, etc. I am super, super excited for this game.

Must. Not. Watch. Video. Ah hell, too late. The game looks fantastic, I just wish they had never even talked about, or shown us, the infected. It would have had (mild SPOILER but shame on you if don't know this one already!) the same impact as Drake's Fortune and the Spanish conquistadors.

Personally I love games that have tension and actually get my heart rate up, and this scene seems like it might be the most effective for that since the first Dead Space.

I agree. Just imagine going through a post apocalyptic Boston and you run into these guys. Thinking they look like normal humans you call out to them only to turn around and see them in horror. Also, the ammo and such is actually for the demo, naughty dog especified with IGN that ammo will be scarce and it is for demo purposes. So the real game will be harder.

meh, while I knew the game was skewing more that way to begin with, the more confirmed realization of it's survival-horror design is making it a turn off by my likes. I like Naughty Dog and they make quality stuff, but quality alone in and of itself isn't necessarily worth my time. Wished they would've opted for a proper Jak and Daxter sequel instead...Last edited by Temjin001 on 2/4/2013 2:40:50 PM

this is probably a matter of personal preference but if I were in charge of directing the art of this sort of survival horror theme I wouldn't have such sterile atmosphere. Where's the dust particles and bugs floating in the air? Where's the dirty cobwebs and atmospheric lighting effects? You know those brown shafts of lighting making the place feel dingy? The lighting just seems too clean for the effect I'm feeling they want. Maybe the engine isn't suited for such things, or maybe there's an explanation for it story wise, but if I were at the helm I'd say MORE eerie effects, more atmosphere and moodiness.. look at like Silent Hill or something. Just dark with a flashlight and the undead walking around strikes me as a little flat.

It's not Silent Hill for starters. Also there are tons of effects in the game. You just can not tell from the quality of the video. How would you see bugs in the dark anyway? The game looks very dingy when you are in buildings. I guess you missed the hotel videos?

These things remind me of Lickers from Resident Evil. They can't see but can hear you so you have to move slowly. I love the tension of trying to evade the lickers. Their name rhymes too.. Lickers and Clickers lol

YYYYYAAAAAAYYYYYYY we FINALLY get to see some infected gameplay!and it only took till 3 months before release.......looks good so far, one thing they need to change is the AI.the infected should react to the flashlights, i mean come on it seems a bit stupid that you can walk up with a light shining in their face and they havent noticed your there.especially in whats such a dark environment.

The infected are normally blind, Runners have limited eye sight, I'm not sure how limited that is. Essentially the fungus starts shooting out of the orifices of the face which means their eye sockets. The infected are still alive so this all sounds very agonizing.

Can't wait for this game. Sure glad they didn't decide on another Jak and Daxter. They could let one of the other studios work on that. Hopefully the other Naughty Dog team is working on another new IP for PS4.

Most people I know, and statistically I see more people on the internet say Uncharted 3 was not better than Uncharted 2(I agree) Last thing we need is for an Uncharted 4 to be worse than Uncharted 3.

I loved Uncharted as much as the next gamer but I think it's best to keep moving and give us different IP's every generation like they've been doing.